Communicating with the deaf

A nationally accredited standard of basic communication skills for healthcare staff to help them interact better with deaf or hearing-impaired people has been announced by the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People. The programme of 'communication tactics' training will initially be provided for up to 4,000 NHS staff and will be funded by the DoH.

Coordinated by the UK Council on Deafness (UKCOD), training will take place from September. UKCOD is the national infrastructure organisation for voluntary sector organisations working with deaf people. The Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People is a regsitered charity involved in improving communication between deaf and hearing people.